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Bianca Alvarado

Spanish Teacher / EdTech Consultant

High Tech High Chula Vista

San Diego, CA USA

“The reason I teach is to spark an interest in students, and to help them realize that they have the tools and resources within themselves to create or design the change that they want to see.”

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Bianca Alvarado

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Bianca Alvarado Highlight

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Interview

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Aligning My Other Interests With Teaching

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Be Fair To Yourself With Your Time

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Integrating My Life Experience Into My Career

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Advocate For Your Own Education

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Tips For Teachers Using Project Based Learning

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Environment Can Have A Huge Impact On A Student's Success

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.

I grew up on the San Diego–Tijuana border.

We’d go back and forth across the border constantly—seeing two drastically different worlds planted the seed of innovation in me, because I understood that there was no one "right" way to do things.

I was the first in my family to graduate from college, earning my bachelor’s degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) from San Diego State University.

After graduating, I struggled with anxiety and depression because I had no idea how to apply for jobs—I had no guidance because my family had never gone through that experience.

After a year of struggling, I started substitute teaching in Chula Vista, California—this was a turning point for me because I got to work with students with similar backgrounds to my own.

After teaching for a few years, I went back to school and earned my master’s degree in social innovation.

I took a break from teaching to co-found La Casa Azul Productions, a project focused on helping disadvantaged Hispanic youth receive training for careers within digital media content creation.

Now I’m back in the classroom teaching high school Spanish.

Keep following my journey

Education

High School

Bachelor
International Security and Conflict Resolution
San Diego State University

Bachelor
Spanish Language and Literature
San Diego State University

Certification/License
Single Subject Teaching Credential, Spanish Language Teacher Education
San Diego Christian College

Graduate
Social Innovation
Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego

Career

Spanish Teacher / EdTech Consultant

I teach tenth-grade Spanish.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Education

Technology

Teaching / Mentoring

Day to Day

I start the day with prayer and meditation. The morning starts around 6 a.m. with at least an hour devoted to consulting projects before starting at High Tech High. Then I design and review my curriculum for that day. I implement online Spanish classes with my students using TPRS. I also attend school meetings. My school day ends at 4:30 p.m. and I start my consulting business hours. This time can vary from meetings about curriculum design, check-ins with designs, and research.

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

Time management skills and setting boundaries have been very helpful. This is the type of profession that you can spend 24/7 working at but that's not healthy. I have to set boundaries in order to manage my time and give attention to other priorities.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Advocate for yourself and personalize your own educational journey. For example, while earning my master's degree, I wanted to learn marketing but my school didn't offer it. I went to the director and found a way to work it into my degree. We as individuals are responsible for our own learning. Whether you're in high school or pursuing a graduate degree, realizing your interests, finding resources yourself, and personalizing your educational journey will lead to more success and happiness.

Hurdles

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation College Student